TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said that the media coverage the last 15 months surrounding the school's handling of former quarterback Jameis Winston's off-field troubles turned out to be beneficial in the school's recruiting efforts.

The Seminoles' 2015 class was ranked third overall Wednesday by recruiting services, behind only Southern Cal and Alabama.

Fisher and university officials were criticized for failing to discipline star athletes, namely Winston, who was accused of sexual assault in December of 2012, but was never charged. Winston also had several other missteps, including an obscene outburst on campus that resulted in his being suspended for last September's game versus Clemson.